Franchise Notes

Padres, Amid Disappointing Year, Poor Economy,
Will Not Raise Prices At Petco Next Season

Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said that the team, which is 56-90 and in last place in the NL West, "will not raise any ticket prices" for the '09 season. Alderson acknowledged that the club's "last-place showing is a factor." Alderson: "It's partly driven by the season and partly by the economy" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 9/10).

CHANGING TACTICS: In London, David Maddock reports Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum "will step up his bid to buy" English Premier League club Liverpool "by using his own money to invest in the club." Al-Maktoum "has ditched" Dubai Int'l Capital (DIC) -- the investment arm of his government -- as the "buy-out company he will use." Instead he will "dip into his own wealth" to purchase the team (London MIRROR, 9/11).

FLAG OFF THE FIELD: Oakland police said that "several nasty brawls were reported in the stands and outside" McAfee Coliseum during Monday night's Broncos-Raiders game. In Oakland, Angela Hill reported Oakland police made "at least 30 arrests for drunkenness, fighting and assault and about as many ejections for more minor offenses, such as sitting in the wrong seat." The Alameda County (CA) Sheriff's Department made an additional 15 arrests (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 9/10).

NOTES: The Phillies with yesterday’s game against the Marlins surpassed the three-million mark in attendance in their 71st home game of the season at Citizens Bank Park, the “fastest they have reached that mark” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/11)....The MLB Rangers, who through last Saturday were averaging 24,518 fans per game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, this season “will not draw two million for the first time since the strike-shortened” ’95 season (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/8).